Fundraisers held by family of missing UNH student

PORTSMOUTH — In memory of missing University of New Hampshire student, Elizabeth “Lizzi” Marriott, a fundraiser was held at the St. John’s Episcopal Church in Portsmouth on Saturday afternoon.

The benefit was titled, Shimmies for Lizzie, due to the entertainment of 15 featured belly dancers and two bell dancing troupes. Tickets were $10 and all proceeds were given to the Marriott family. A silent auction was also held for items donated by New Hampshire area vendors.

“The show is a remembrance and celebration of Lizzi’s life, but also a start point for the healing process. Dance has been used for thousands of years as means to honor and revere ancestors and those who have died, as well as used for cathartic and ritualistic purposes to help heal the hurting or sick — and belly dance an ancient art form created to celebration life---this show goes in hand in hand, both as a celebration of Lizzi’s spirit and a healing for those who are left behind to grieve her passing,” according to a public statement issued by the fundraiser.

Another event was honoring Marriott the same evening a few hours later in Massachusetts. The Westborough Athletic and Social Association sponsored, “ A Night in Remembrance of Lizzie Marriott.” The event was held at 7 p.m. at the Indian Meadows Country Club.

The fundraisers will help fund the Lizzi Marriott Intrepid Explorer Fund, established by her family. It will offer a scholarship fund for young adults interested in marine sciences.

Police have charged a Dover man with her murder, although her body has not been found.

Marriott was a sophomore marine biology student at UNH and grew up in Westborough.